By ManhattanMataHari
Loehmann’s has seriously stepped up the designer clothing game in their Back Room designer area. While we find the prices are anywhere from 40% to 70% off retail (essentially the same as the department stores sales through final markdowns), their selection of current seasonal styles is great. Plus, Loehmann’s is always sending coupons to Insider Club members (it’s free to join) and extra 25% off weekends puts your savings more in the sample sale range.
We stopped by the Loehmann’s in Chelsea to scope the selection. On the accessories floor, fans of Loeffer Randal, Siegerson Morrison and Bruno Magli footwear will fare best. We spotted some $370 Stella McCartney booties, Casadei short boots for $340 and even $160 Charles Jourdan slipper pumps. Overall, they have a pretty extensive selection of boots.
There isn’t much in the handbag department, although we did spot a couple of exotic skin Prada handbags that were around $2000 from $6400. If you have a keen eye, definitely head to the sunglasses section where you can find Oliver Peoples for $160, Chloe oversized frames for $120, $140 Derek Lams, as well as $110 Tory Burch sunnies. Even if the classic styles and colors aren’t usually available, we always find Tom Ford in the mix and this time we found three covetable pairs for just $200.
In the designer Back Room you will see a large selection of Armani suits and some nice evening gowns hanging on the back wall. Upon further inspection we found several lovely Pamella Roland gowns, with long versions for $900 and short for $600. Elegant Naeem Khan and Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti gowns for $400 also surprised us quite a bit.
Be sure not to miss the $400 Dolce and Gabanna suits and D&G trench jackets. Metallic collection label versions are a bit pricier at $600. There is a great selection of outerwear by Brunello Cuchinelli , Akris, Brioni, and Cacharel. We fell hard for a cashmere lined Loro Piana trench that was priced at $1300. There is also a huge section for Valentino, replete with elegant styles of jackets and coats.
For separates, there are three racks of M Missoni mostly around $200, as well as Jean Paul Gaultier, Etro, Escada, See by Chloe and Moschino Cheap and Chic. Be sure to leave plenty of time for browsing since it seems that now Loehmann’s will be filling the designer discount void left behind when Filene’s Basement went under.
